State Legislators Say Sheriff Could Help Clean Up LPD

The Polk County Legislative Delegation waded into the Lakeland Police Department controversy Tuesday by suggesting the city bring in Sheriff Grady Judd to help straighten out the troubled department.

By JEREMY MAREADY & RICK ROUSOSTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | The Polk County Legislative Delegation waded into the Lakeland Police Department controversy Tuesday by suggesting the city bring in Sheriff Grady Judd to help straighten out the troubled department.And at least one delegation member said Tuesday she didn't think Lakeland's City Commission is acting quickly enough, based on commissioners' responses during a meeting Monday."I felt like they were trying to get all the data, all the information and then make a decision," Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, told The Ledger on Tuesday. "In a normal situation, that would probably be fine. But not in this situation."Stargel said it appeared commissioners, City Manager Doug Thomas or Police Chief Lisa Womack were "not understanding the magnitude of this and the impact on the community. We need to act sooner than that."Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields responded Tuesday evening, saying the City Commission would call for Judd's assistance if commissioners decided that was necessary. He said commissioners are taking the issues seriously and have "full confidence" in Womack's ability to deal with problems once internal investigations are complete.A State Attorney's Office report released last week detailed allegations of dozens of consensual and multiple forced sexual encounters involving more than 20 LPD officers and city employees. The report was based on an investigation by the State Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.In the report, investigators said at worst, the actions of the officers indicated a "moral bankruptcy" that existed within the department.State Attorney Jerry Hill also recently criticized the department over two other cases. One involved what Hill called an improper search of a woman and the car she was driving. The woman was ordered to shake out her bra in a failed search for drugs. The other involved an officer's handling of a DUI case.

'SHOCKING, REVOLTING'Stargel, who is the vice chairwoman of the county legislative delegation, was one of two members who signed the letter that was delivered to Fields late Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. "We find the State Attorney's report on the behavior of the LPD officials to be shocking, revolting and a clear cause for action. A culture which, at best lacks professionalism and at worst encourages the reckless behavior of (LPD) officials, is apparently pervasive and is an embarrassment to our community. This culture has unfortunately eroded the public's confidence in the Lakeland Police Department," said the letter sent on delegation stationery to Fields. The letter was also signed by state Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland.The legislators recommended Judd be brought in to help make the "proper reforms" to the department."The delegation's perspective is that there needs to be an external look at the process," McKeel told The Ledger on Tuesday.Confidence in the Lakeland Police Department has eroded, and the State Attorney's Office report deals with more than sex allegations, McKeel continued. "It needs another set of eyes on it."McKeel and the other delegation members wrote they are ready to also request the assistance of the FDLE, the state Attorney General's office or other state agencies to take the necessary action "to ensure restored public confidence in local law enforcement."Several hours later, Lakeland's mayor emailed a response to the delegation's letter.

MAYOR'S RESPONSE"I want to assure our community, the City Commission and all of our City employees that the Lakeland Police Department and the City Administration takes these matters very seriously and will take appropriate action once all the facts are known," Fields wrote.Fields said the commission is aware of the ongoing internal investigations into the members of the department, where four officers and a civilian have either been put on administrative leave or reassigned to modified duty. A city Fire Department worker is also on paid leave. "I just spoke to Sheriff Grady Judd, and he is supportive of our Internal Affairs investigative process," Fields wrote. "He did agree to make his agency available if we find it appropriate and necessary."In an interview, Fields told The Ledger, "There's a time to call for help," but now isn't the time.Judd told The Ledger on Tuesday that he can help if asked."I read the Polk County Legislative Delegation's letter late Tuesday, and I appreciate their confidence in me and the Polk County Sheriff's Office," he said. "Certainly, if the city of Lakeland wants assistance, my staff and I would be willing to provide professional assistance if appropriately requested. We all know there are many professional men and women at the police department that go out everyday and do a good job. But the deficiencies must be corrected — sooner rather than later."

LACK OF CONFIDENCEAfter reading Fields' statement by email, McKeel again urged the city to consult with Judd."The delegation hopes the city will very quickly find it appropriate to consult one of the most respected law enforcement professionals in the business," he said. "Our constituents deserve that."Stargel said the legislators' letter came after numerous phone calls she and other members of the delegation have received since problems at LPD have been publicized."I fear for the safety of other law enforcement officers," she said. "There are people out there asking, if they get pulled over, ‘Is this the guy who had the girl shake out the bra? Is this the guy who had the problems with the DUI documents? If this the guy who has been sleeping around?'"That lack of confidence has an impact on public safety and needs to be dealt with immediately, she said. "We've been dealing with this for quite some time."Rep. Ben Albritton said Tuesday he agrees LPD suffers from a lack of public trust. He said the recommendation of bringing in Judd isn't a mandate but a suggestion that could save the city money if it were exploring the option of having an outside agency or consulting group review the department."He's a good leader and understands how to deal with crisis management," Albritton said. "We need to make sure that at the end of the day, whatever the problems, organizational or operational, they get solved and in short order."

CITY COMMISSIONERS REACTFieIds said his written statement was issued on behalf of the city and the City Commission.Three commissioners reached Tuesday night — Phillip Walker, Justin Troller and Keith Merritt — sided with Fields on whether to ask for Judd's help and supported the public statement he made. "What role do you want the Chief to play while Grady is here?" Troller asked. "Chief Womack is in charge, and I'm going to withhold judgment until she finishes these investigations. If heads don't roll, I will be highly upset, and we'll go from there."Two commissioners said they weren't happy with the letter. Commissioner Edie Yates couldn't be reached for comment.Commissioner Howard Wiggs, who is running against Fields for mayor, said Fields should have included the words, "It is my opinion."Commissioner Don Selvage said he respected the mayor's need to act quickly but said he would have liked to have been consulted about the letter.Selvage said he thinks Lakeland should take advantage of Judd's offer to help."I want to give the chief the opportunity to fix things. But having said that, why would we turn Grady down?" Selvage asked "I wouldn't want him to come in and take over, but we're asking a lot of people for help."Wiggs said he now proposes a "round table" of officials including the city manager, Womack, the State Attorney's Office and Judd to get together and look closely at solutions to LPD problems.